Walks in Glencoe and the surrounding area

Ballachulish to Duror

Go into Ballachulish village, up past the Co-op until you cross over the River Laroch. Turn left up this brae and it will take you past Ballachulish Primary School. Go on past a series of farm gates, the track sets off to the pass between the hills. The path does become narrower in parts, but is still easy to follow. You will pass a cairn at the top of the pass and there are two other cairns along the way with one a memorial to the pilots of a helicopter that crashed in the winter of 1994 in Ballachulish. From here the path to Duror heads up the hill until you reach the forests of Duror via a gate in the deer fence. Following this forest road will lead you to Achindarroch Farm and the village of Duror. Walk takes about 4 hours.

James of the Glen's Birthplace in Duror

Go to Duror Village then take the left turn signposted Auchindarroch. This road leads up past a caravan park and housing scheme. Drive past until you reach the car park.

Forestry paths leads from that point and the route to the bothy is marked by a post bearing the symbol "JG". The area is heavily forested and there is quite a network of pathways so be careful to follow the directions given. Not many scenic views, but certainly of Historical Interest relating to Duror and James of the Glen. Actual walk takes about 1.5hrs.

Inchree Waterfalls

Take the A82 to Fort William, when you reach the village of Inchree in Onich, take a right turn and follow this road until you reach the car park for the waterfalls. This is a circular route around Forestry Commission roads and affords stunning views of the Waterfalls flowing out of Gleann Righ. Parts of the walk also afford have marvellous views of Kentallen Bay and Loch Linnhe. Our kids have gone on outward bound trips there canyoning and abseiling which a local company vertical descents (see links) can offer. On of our kids favourite walks.

Glencoe Lochan Walk

Situated in the heart of Glencoe village, beside the old Glencoe Hospital, the Glencoe Lochan trail has three well sign posted different walks that you can follow, depending on how much time/energy you may have! The Hospital used to be the home of the Earl of Strathcona who was Governor General of Canada for a while. He brought his Canadian wife back with him, who soon became a little homesick. The Earl decided to landscape the whole area around the house so that it looked like the Canadian Rockies. The entire water lochan is man made. This is one of the most popular family walks in the Glencoe area being really scenic and right in the heart of Glencoe village area.

Sutherlands Grove

Take A828 towards Oban and stop off at just before Barcaldine village, from where you will see Forestry Signs for Sutherlands Grove. Various forest walks with stunning views onto the open hills. Lots of display boards showing you which route is which. Nice views of Argyll from the hills.

Callart Forest Walk

Cross the Ballachulish Bridge then turn right onto what the locals call the low road to Kinlochleven with the high road being the other road accessed through Glencoe village. Park at the entrance to Callart Forest about 2 miles along this road. This scenic forest walk has excellent views at various points across to Loch Leven and the Beinn Bheither Horseshoe, Glencoe Burial Isles and Pap of Glencoe, to name but a few. You can drive back the other way through Kinlocheven and then through Glencoe village back the high road.

Signal Rock and An Torr

As you travel on the A82 through Glencoe, take a left turn just about three miles past the petrol station and park in the Car Park (where the old visitor centre used to be). Cross the wooden bridge over the River Coe, and the path will take you straight to Signal Rock and An Torr. Signal Rock was chosen for the vital signal, which started the Glencoe Massacre in 1692. This part of Glencoe is well worth a look.

The Lost Valley-also known as The Hidden Valley.

An extremely popular walk in Glencoe which people often do twice in a week's holiday because it is so interesting. Drive past Glencoe on the way to Tyndrum and park on the A82 in the upper of two car parks on the right hand side of the road (about 20 mins drive from the hotel). Descend to the old road (signposted Corrie Gabhail) and turn left along it. Soon, a set of wooden steps will lead you across the river and up the steep hillside between Beinn Fhada and Gearr Aonach (2 of the 3 Sisters of Glencoe). This very well defined path will lead you into the lost valley, where the MacDonald’s are reputed to have hidden cattle they had rustled from their neighbours. The size of the lost valley in Glencoe is still a surprise, no matter how many times you enjoy this walk. The walk can take anything from 1 hour to complete.

View from Ben Lora

Ben Lora

Take A828 to Benderloch and you will see the Forestry Signs for Ben Lora. Great views across the mountains with mainly easy walks, well signposted. Depending on the pace of the walk, this hill can be conquered in a few hours or can take a full day.

Pap of Glencoe

Park in the village of Glencoe then cross over the River Coe. Pass the Glencoe Hospital signs on your left, once the forest on the left ends you come across a gate at the foot of the hill. Pass up through this gate, through the fields until you come to the path for the mountain. Quite a strenuous walk in parts, but nothing can beat the tremendous views from the summit! Total walk time can be anything from 2 hours.

Cuill Hill

Park in Duror Hall Car park and follow the track behind the Hall, which will bring you to the top of Hill. Breathtaking Views of Ben Nevis, Mull and Ardgour once you reach the top.

Ben Nevis

Park at Glen Nevis Visitor Centre, cross the footbridge over the river and just follow the path up Britain’s highest mountain! Fairly arduous walk but well worth the stunning views from the summit.

West Highland Way

You don’t have to walk all of the West Highland Way; even just walking part of the way

gives you a taste of what a magnificent walk this is. Pick up trails from Kinlochleven to Fort William through the Mamores or From Glencoe to Kinlochleven over the Devils Staircase.

Loch Eilde Mor – Kinlochleven

Park in the Grey Mares Waterfall Car Park. This is a circular walk above the village of Kinlochleven providing excellent views over the village, the Blackwater Reservoir, Loch Leven and all those beautiful hills. The opening scenes from the film Rob Roy were shot from around this area.

Buchaille Etive Beag

The start of the walk is on the opposite side of the road to a large cairn, at the Lairig Eilde footpath in Glancoe. Wonderful views to the Aonach Eagach ridge, Glen Coe and as you progress, to Beinn Fhada and Buchaille Etive Mhor. This is a circular walk with a total ascent of 550m. The path is mainly good, although a bit undefined in parts. Can take 6-7 hours.

Devils Staircase

This walk was initially given its name by the soldiers who were part of the road-building programme for General Wade. Take A82 through Glencoe and when you come to Alt na Feidh, signs will take you along the West Highland Way over to Kinlochleven. This well-defined path zigzags as it climbs and offers some exceptional views along the way, including Buachaille Etive Mhor. After this section, walking gets a bit easier until the coll is reached. Thereby, the path continues down until you can see the Blackwater Reservoir in Kinlochleven. Rewarding walk.

Glenachulish

Take A828 towards Ballachulish. About 8 minutes up the road you will see signs for Glenachulish on your right. Follow this single track up until you reach the defined car park, just before the forest walk starts. You can take a leisurely stroll by turning right which will lead you past the forestry office and residential buildings. This very flat walk will eventually lead you to a shrine that has been dedicated to St. Mary by the local residents of Glenachulish. Lovely clear views across Loch Linnhe.

Glenachulish Horseshoe

Take A828 towards Ballachulish. About 8 minutes up the road you will see signs for Glenachulish on your right. Follow this single track up until you reach the defined car park, just before the forest walk starts. Walk straight up through the Forestry gates. The initial walk is pretty steep, but you can then fork left where the slope is much gentler. As the name suggests, the walk double backs in a horseshoe shape to take you back to your starting point. The more energetic can branch left then left again at the next forestry road and this leads to behind St. Johns Church, on the way to Ballachulish. You can also decide to ignore the first left turning and follow the next right turn, which will lead you more or less to the top of Beinn Vhair. Breathtaking views await those who make it to the top!

The Blackwater Damn, Kinlochleven

In days gone by, school pupils of Kinlochleven used to run up this walk as part of their PE sessions! Take the road alongside the Ice Factor and climb up the pipeline. When you reach a corrugated hut, you can either carry on the more strenuous walk up the pipeline, or opt for the easier road walk. At the top, you can reach the Blackwater Reservoir and Dam and enjoy the lovely views across the village to the hills beyond.

Ariundle Oakwoods

Cross the Corran Ferry and follow the signs for Strontian. Ariundle Forest is well signposted. Once you park, there are various walks to chose from, all very well signposted with maps to show you which routes you can take. Very pleasant walks that are quite protected from the elements in part by the majestic trees.

Nevis Gorge and Steall Falls

Take A82 to Fort William and drive straight on at the roundabout just past the Nevis Bank Hotel on your right. Follow this lovely road up to the end and park. Both Rob Roy and Braveheart featured panoramic Glen Nevis. The Gorge footpath leaves from the car park and is sign-posted Corrour Station. This lovely, mainly flat walk passes some impressive rock formations along the way. Good picnicking sites along the way.

Caledonian Canal

Follow the A82 to Fort William then take the road to Mallaig. Take a right turn for Banavie once you cross the bridge and park in the car park beside Neptune’s Staircase. This flight of locks is an engineering masterpiece and well worth admiring. The views are special and Ben Nevis fills the Southerly views.

Arkaig Glens

Follow A82 to Fort William and continue onto Spean Bridge. AT the Commando Memorial, take a left towards Gairlochy and the Caledonian Canal. After crossing the canal, turn right through woodlands until you pass Clunes. You then travel along the Mile Dorcha (Dark Mile) until you reach Loch Arkaig. Various walks are signposted and all start at the stepped waters of Chia-aig that pours into the peaty Witches pool. Fantastic views along the way in this beautiful countryside.

The Two Passes

Drive to Glencoe and park in the first car park above the gorge. A large sign for Loch Etive indicates where the walk begins. This walk is very rewarding, offering fantastic views without the effort of conquering a summit! You ascend about 2000feet and this circular walk takes in the passes of Lairig Eilde, Lairig Gartain and Buachaille Etive Beag (Little Shepherd of Etive). This walk is only advisable in dry weather as it is very boggy in parts and has several streams to cross.

Ballachulish Slate Quarry

Drive to Ballachulish and go into the village by the second entrance. Take the first right and park outside the Tourist Information Centre. Walk through the building, cross the road and go to the gate to the left of the small shop. Follow the path round the outline of the quarry, or climb the hill for spectacular views. Another path will lead off to the left and this will take you to Brecklet lane. Walk down the hill (through a big gate), pass the church, and at the bottom of the hill turn right. Walk through the village and past the CO-OP. Take a right towards the Tourist Information centre again.

Clach Tholl –Port Appin

A gentle stroll round the headland of the Appin peninsula. Takes about ½ hr. Follow the single-track road to the end of Port Appin and park in the car park opposite Lismore Island. The track, which is good, takes you past several interesting cliffs, caves and the sea-arch from which the walk takes its name (it means "the rock with a hole") Seals are often seen swimming off the point at Appin rocks.